Water resistant slide fastener

ABSTRACT

A water resistant slide fastener includes two supporting members made of a water resistant material. Each supporting member includes a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a longitudinal edge. A plurality of coupling elements are formed on each supporting member. Each coupling element includes a first portion on the first surface of an associated supporting member and a second portion on the second surface of the associated supporting member. The first portion and the second portion of each coupling element extend beyond the longitudinal edge of the associated supporting member and have a gap therebetween. The longitudinal edge of each supporting member extends into the gaps of the coupling elements. The longitudinal edges of the supporting members overlap each other when the coupling elements of the supporting members are engaged with each other.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a slide fastener. In particular, the present invention relates to a water resistant slide fastener.

2. Description of Related Art

FIG. 1 of the drawings shows a typical slide fastener 1 comprising a pair of oppositely disposed tapes 11 each having a row of fastener coupling elements 12 mounted thereto. The tapes 11 may be made of fabrics or plastics and the rows of coupling elements 12 may be made of metal or plastics. Referring to FIG. 2, when the rows of coupling elements 1 2 are engaged with each other, water or the like is apt to permeate from outer layers of the tapes 11 into bottom layers of the tapes 11 or permeate inward via the gaps 13 of the rows of coupling elements 12. Thus, the slide fastener 1 of this type could not be used in watertight articles.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,888,859 discloses a water-tight slide fastener. As illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings, the slide fastener 2 disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,888,859 comprises a pair of oppositely disposed support tapes 21 and a row of fastener coupling elements 22 secured by sewing threads to and along an inner longitudinal edge of each support tape 21. Each support tape 21 is coated with a water-resistant coating material 23 on one of its surfaces and on its longitudinal marginal edge. Thus, a water-resistant effect is provided, as the row of fastener coupling elements 22 is on a side of the support tape 21 and the water-resistant coating material 23 is on the other side of the support tape 21. However, gaps still exist between the joint section of the support tapes 21.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,105,214 discloses a water resistant slide fastener and a process for preparing same. As illustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawings, the slide fastener 3 disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,105,21 4 includes a slide fastener structure, and stringer tapes 31 each having opposed surfaces 34, 36. A gripper or coil structure 32 of the slide fastener is attached to edges of surfaces 34. A water resistant layer 31 b is laminated to surfaces 36 of the string tapes 31. The slide fastener structure is cut along a cut line 30, providing a water-resistant slide fastener. However, water is still able to permeate via the gaps along the cut line 30.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a slide fastener that has a reliable water-resistant effect.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a water resistant slide fastener comprises two supporting members made of a water resistant material. Each supporting member includes a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a longitudinal edge. A plurality of coupling elements are formed on the first surface and the second surface of each supporting member. Each coupling element includes a first portion on the first surface of an associated one of the supporting members and a second portion on the second surface of the associated supporting member. The first portion and the second portion of each coupling element extend beyond the longitudinal edge of the associated supporting member and have a gap therebetween. The longitudinal edge of each supporting member extends into the gaps of the coupling elements. The longitudinal edges of the supporting members overlap each other when the coupling elements of the supporting members are engaged with each other.

Preferably, the supporting members are made of a material selected from a group consisting of rubber, plastics, and resins.

Preferably, each supporting member includes a plurality of through-holes through which the coupling elements extend during formation of the coupling elements. Each through-hole may be rectangular, circular, or square.

Each supporting member may include an enlarged filament.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, a water resistant slide fastener comprises two supporting members each including a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a longitudinal edge. A water resistant layer is provided on at least one of the first surface and the second surface of each supporting member. A plurality of coupling elements are formed on the first surface and the second surface of each supporting member. Each coupling element includes a first portion on the first surface of an associated one of the supporting members and a second portion on the second surface of the associated supporting member. The first portion and the second portion of each coupling element extend beyond the longitudinal edge of the associated supporting member and have a gap therebetween. The longitudinal edge of each supporting member extends into the gaps of the coupling elements. The longitudinal edges of the supporting members overlap each other when the coupling elements of the supporting members are engaged with each other.

Preferably, the water resistant layer is made of water resistant resins or polyurethane.

The water resistant layer may extend to the longitudinal layer of an associated one of the supporting members.

Preferably, each supporting member includes a plurality of through-holes through which the coupling elements extend during formation of the coupling elements.

Each through-hole may be rectangular, circular, or square.

Each supporting member may include an enlarged section.

The supporting members may be made of a non-water-resistant material or a water-resistant material.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of this invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional slide fastener;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the conventional slide fastener in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of another conventional slide fastener;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a further conventional slide fastener;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of a water resistant slide fastener in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the slide fastener in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along plane 7-7 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 6, wherein the slide fastener is in a closed state;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along plane 9-9 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an exploded sectional view illustrating a second embodiment of the water resistant slide fastener in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10, wherein the slide fastener is in a closed state;

FIG. 12 is a top view of a third embodiment of the water resistant slide fastener in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along plane 13-13 in FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 5 through 7, a first embodiment of a water resistant slide fastener in accordance with the present invention comprises two supporting members 4 and a row of coupling elements 5 longitudinally provided on each supporting member 4. The supporting members 4 are made of a water resistant material preferably selected from a group consisting of rubber, plastics, and resins to form a flexible structure. Each supporting member 4 includes a first surface 41, a second surface 42 opposite to the first surface 41, and a longitudinal edge 44.

A row of coupling elements 5 is formed on a longitudinal side of a supporting member 4 for engaging with the other row of coupling elements 5 on the other supporting member 4. More specifically, a portion of each coupling element 5 is formed on the first surface 41 of an associated supporting member 4, forming a first portion 51 of each coupling member 5. Another portion of each coupling element 5 is formed on the second surface 42 of the associated supporting member 4, forming a second portion 52 of each coupling member 5.

In the illustrated embodiment, each supporting member 4 includes a plurality of through-holes 43, and each coupling element 5 includes a connecting portion 53 that is formed between the first portion 51 and the second portion 52 and that extends through an associated through-hole 43. The coupling elements 5 are formed on the supporting member 4 by injection molding, allowing bonding between the coupling elements 5 and the supporting members 4. The connecting portion 53 of each coupling element 5 allows firm bonding between the coupling elements 5 and the supporting members 4. Each through-hole 43 may be rectangular, square, circular or of other shape.

Referring to FIG. 7, the first portion 51 and the second portion 52 of each coupling element 5 extend beyond the longitudinal edge 44 of the associated supporting member 4 and have a gap 54 therebetween. The longitudinal edge 44 of each supporting member 4 extending into the gaps 54 of the coupling elements 5.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9 that show the closed state of the slide fastener, the longitudinal edge 44 of each supporting member 4 extends into the gaps 54 of the coupling elements 5 on the other supporting member 4 when the coupling elements 5 of the supporting members 4 are engaged with each other. Further, the longitudinal edges 44 of the supporting members 4 overlap each other when the coupling elements 5 of the supporting members 4 are engaged with each other. An excellent waterproof effect is thus provided.

FIG. 10 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the supporting members 6 are made of a non-water-resistant material such as polyester fiber cloth. In the illustrated embodiment, the supporting members 6 are made of conventional cloth. A water resistant layer 65 is provided on at least one of the first surface 61 and the second surface 62 of each supporting member 6. The water resistant layer 65 is made of water resistant resin or polyurethane and applied to the supporting member 6. If necessary, the water resistant layer 65 extends to the longitudinal edge 64 of each supporting member 6. When the coupling elements 5 of the supporting members 6 are engaged with each other, the longitudinal edges 64 of the supporting members 6 overlap each other, as shown in FIG. 11. An excellent waterproof effect is thus provided.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate a third embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the supporting members 7 are flexible and made of rubber, plastics or resins. Alternatively, the supporting members 7 are made of non-water-resistant material and include a water resistant layer on at least one surface thereof. A row of coupling elements 5 is formed on a longitudinal side of each supporting member 7. Each coupling element 5 includes a first portion 51 on a first surface 71 of an associated supporting member 7, a second portion 52 on a second surface 72 of the associated supporting member 7, and a connecting portion 53 between the first portion 51 and the second portion 52. Each supporting member 7 includes a plurality of through-holes 73 through which the connecting portions 53 of the coupling elements 5 extend, allowing firm bonding between the coupling elements 5 and the supporting member 7. The longitudinal edge 74 of each supporting member 7 extends into the gaps 54 defined between the first portions 51 and the second portions 52 of the associated coupling element 5.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, the longitudinal edge 74 of each supporting member 7 extends into the gaps 54 of the coupling elements 5 on the other supporting member 7 when the coupling elements 5 of the supporting members 7 are engaged with each other. Further, the longitudinal edges 74 of the supporting members 7 overlap each other when the coupling elements 5 of the supporting members 7 are engaged with each other. An excellent waterproof effect is thus provided.

Further, each supporting member 7 includes an enlarged section 75. A firm bonding is provided for the coupling elements 5 and the supporting members 7 while forming the coupling elements 5 on the supporting members 7.

While the principles of this invention have been disclosed in connection with specific embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that these descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, and that any modification and variation without departing the spirit of the invention is intended to be covered by the scope of this invention defined only by the appended claims. 

1. A water resistant slide fastener, comprising: two supporting members made of a water resistant material, each said supporting member including a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a longitudinal edge; and a plurality of coupling elements formed on the first surface and the second surface of each said supporting member, each said coupling element including a first portion on the first surface of an associated one of the supporting members and a second portion on the second surface of the associated supporting member, the first portion and the second portion of each said coupling element extending beyond the longitudinal edge of the associated supporting member and having a gap therebetween, the longitudinal edge of each said supporting member extending into the gaps of the coupling elements; wherein the longitudinal edges of the supporting members overlap each other when the coupling elements of the supporting members are engaged with each other.
 2. The water resistant slide fastener as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supporting members are made of a material selected from a group consisting of rubber, plastics, and resins.
 3. The water resistant slide fastener as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said supporting member includes a plurality of through-holes through which the coupling elements extend during formation of the coupling elements.
 4. The water resistant slide fastener as claimed in claim 3, wherein each said through-hole is one of rectangular, circular, and square.
 5. The water resistant slide fastener as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said supporting member includes an enlarged filament.
 6. A water resistant slide fastener, comprising: two supporting members each including a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a longitudinal edge, a water resistant layer being provided on at least one of the first surface and the second surface of each said supporting member; and a plurality of coupling elements formed on the first surface and the second surface of each said supporting member, each said coupling element including a first portion on the first surface of an associated one of the supporting members and a second portion on the second surface of the associated supporting member, the first portion and the second portion of each said coupling element extending beyond the longitudinal edge of the associated supporting member and having a gap therebetween, the longitudinal edge of each said supporting member extending into the gaps of the coupling elements; wherein the longitudinal edges of the supporting members overlap each other when the coupling elements of the supporting members are engaged with each other.
 7. The water resistant slide fastener as claimed in claim 6, wherein the water resistant layer is made of a material selected from a group consisting of water resistant resins and polyurethane.
 8. The water resistant slide fastener as claimed in claim 6, wherein the water resistant layer extends to the longitudinal layer of an associated one of the supporting members.
 9. The water resistant slide fastener as claimed in claim 6, wherein each said supporting member includes a plurality of through-holes through which the coupling elements extend during formation of the coupling elements.
 10. The water resistant slide fastener as claimed in claim 9, wherein each said through-hole is one of rectangular, circular, and square.
 11. The water resistant slide fastener as claimed in claim 6, wherein each said supporting member includes an enlarged section.
 12. The water resistant slide fastener as claimed in claim 6, wherein the supporting members are made of a non-water-resistant material.
 13. The water resistant slide fastener as claimed in claim 6, wherein the supporting members are made of a water-resistant material. 